Quiz: Howstuffworks

Super Bowl History Quiz

Gavin Thagard

Image: Wiki Commons by andrewtat94

About This Quiz

As a football fan, you spend each season tuning into games throughout the year in anticipation of Super Bowl week, where you can debate with coworkers, gain extra media access to players and fire up the grill for that viewing party you've been planning. Of course, all of that adds up to one thing: the actual game.

Since its inaugural year in the 1966 season until the most recent iteration, the Super Bowl has been one of the biggest sporting events of the year, drawing in millions of rabid fans, hungry to consume the last ounce of football they will see until the next season begins. For those fans who are the most loyal to the sport, they will then spend their offseason researching every Super Bowl on the books as they extend their knowledge all the way back to when the first game was played.

Are you one of those rabid fans who's constantly taking in new information about the game? Have you researched every Super Bowl winner and the stars who competed on those championship teams? Here's a quiz where you can find out.

When you're ready to show off how much you know about the history of the Super Bowl, pound away at this quiz to find out how high you can run up the score.

Wiki Commons Public Domain

There were some big names in Super Bowl I, including which famous coach on the winning team?

Vince Lombardi

Bill Belichick

Don Shula

Mike Ditka

Vince Lombardi knew how to drive players with his rhetoric, which usually emphasized teamwork and a commitment to success. An example of this was when he said, "The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual."

Wiki Commons by Fido

What did the Pittsburgh Steelers call the defensive line that led them to multiple Super Bowls in the '70s?

The Steel Wall

The Steel Cage

The Steel Curtain

The Steel Beam

The Steel Curtain was made up of three Pro Bowl caliber players, but only "Mean" Joe Greene made it into the NFL Hall of Fame. During his career, Greene was selected to 10 Pro Bowl appearances and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice.

By John Martinez Pavliga via Wikimedia Commons

Do you know the NFL team that put up 49 points in the highest-scoring Super Bowl in history?

Bears

49ers

Patriots

Rams

The 49 points put up by the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX came primarily from the arm of quarterback Steve Young, who threw a Super Bowl record six touchdown passes. For his play, Young was named the MVP of the game.

By Tom Hanny from Kinnelon, USA via Wikimedia Commons

During which Super Bowl did the New York Giants beat the undefeated New England Patriots?

Super Bowl IV

Super Bowl LI

Super Bowl XI

Super Bowl XLII

If the New England Patriots had won Super Bowl XLII, they would have been the only team in NFL history to go 19-0 for a season. However, a tough New York Giants defense and a miracle play at the end of the game cost the Patriots an undefeated season.

Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

The Seattle Seahawks were down by how many points when Russell Wilson threw an interception against the New England Patriots at the end of Super Bowl XLIX?

Three

Four

Seven

Nine

The Seattle Seahawks came into Super Bowl XLIX looking to win their second championship in two years. The team failed to achieve their goal on a highly criticized interception by Russell Wilson, which was made worse by the fact that the Seahawks had one of the best running backs in the league.

Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Who was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bills?

Troy Aikman

Michael Irvin

Emmitt Smith

Kevin Williams

Playing behind an excellent offensive line in Dallas, Emmitt Smith averaged huge numbers throughout his NFL career. When he finally retired in 2004, he was the NFL's all time leading rusher.

NFL

Can you identify the only team in NFL history to finish their season undefeated by winning the Super Bowl?

Packers

Raiders

Patriots

Dolphins

Coached by Don Shula, the Miami Dolphins posted a 14-0 regular season record in 1972. After winning three games in the playoffs including the Super Bowl, the team finished 17-0, making them the only undefeated team in NFL history.

Wiki Commons by U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier

Where did Super Bowl XIV between the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers take place?

Rose Bowl

Pontiac Silverdome

Louisiana Superdome

Miami Orange Bowl

Located in Pasadena, California, the Rose Bowl is one of the most iconic venues in all of sports. One of the largest stadiums in the world, it is the site of a major college football bowl games each season.

NFL

The Buffalo Bills lost how many straight Super Bowls in the early '90s?

Two

Three

Four

Five

The Buffalo Bills have yet to win a Super Bowl in the history of the franchise despite having four chances in the '90s. The closest the team came was at Super Bowl XXV when they lost by one point to the New York Giants.

NFL

Joe Montana won four Super Bowls and was named the MVP of three of them. Who was named the MVP of the other?

Charles Haley

John Frank

John Taylor

Jerry Rice

Considered by many to be the greatest wide receiver of all time, Jerry Rice holds several Super Bowl records. A few of the most impressive records include most points scored in a career with 48 and most receiving yards in a game with 215.

Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Are you familiar with the team that had the first African American quarterback to win the Super Bowl?

Steelers

Redskins

Giants

Buccaneers

The Washington Redskins won Super Bowl XXII behind the stellar play of quarterback Doug Williams. Earning MVP honors, Williams threw for 340 yards on 29 attempts and finished with four touchdowns.

Wiki Commons by Jauerback

One of the greatest running backs in football history, how many rushing touchdowns did Walter Payton score in the Chicago Bears' huge victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX?

Zero

One

Two

Three

When Walter Payton went scoreless in his only Super Bowl appearance, the legendary running back was visibly upset despite winning the game. Payton blamed his head coach, Mike Ditka, because Ditka chose to give the ball to William Perry for the final touchdown instead of to him.

Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

The New York Giants posted what regular season record before turning it on in the playoffs to reach Super Bowl XLVI?

8-8

9-7

10-6

11-5

When the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI, they became the worst team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl with a winning percentage of 56%. This included losing five of their last eight regular season games.

Wiki Commons by Andrew Campbell

Which player has the most Super Bowl MVPs?

Tom Brady

Bart Starr

Peyton Manning

Joe Namath

Considering Tom Brady has appeared in nine Super Bowls and won six of those, it makes sense that he has four Super Bowl MVPs. After all, he has been the only constant on a New England Patriots roster that is always changing out players.

Wiki Commons by AJ Guel

The longest scoring play in Super Bowl history, Jacoby Jones returned a kickoff how many yards in Super Bowl XLVII?

95 yards

99 yards

108 yards

109 yards

The Baltimore Ravens went into halftime of Super Bowl XLVII with a 21-6 lead. They received the opening kickoff of the second half, which Jacoby Jones carried all the way back from his own end zone for a touchdown, increasing their lead even more.

NFL

What was John Elway's record in the Super Bowl when he finished his career?

2-0

2-1

2-2

2-3

John Elway lost the first three Super Bowls of his career while he was still a young player in the league. Approaching his last years, he took a pay cut, which gave the Denver Broncos the ability to sign other star players to help Elway win two Super Bowls before he retired.

WikiCommons by Marianne O'Leary

Huge underdogs, the New York Jets pulled the upset in Super Bowl III over which team?

Chiefs

Vikings

Rams

Colts

Coming into Super Bowl III, Jets quarterback Joe Namath promised to deliver a Super Bowl title to New York even though the Baltimore Colts were 18-point favorites. Namath made good on his promise, throwing for 206 yards to give his team the victory.

Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Super Bowl LI saw the first overtime in the history of the championship game when the New England Patriots came back from how many points down against the Atlanta Falcons?

14

17

25

31

The New Englands Patriots' 25 point comeback in Super Bowl LI was the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. The comeback was largely fueled by Tom Brady, who threw two touchdowns in the second half.

Dallas Cowboys International Club/NFL

Who coached the Dallas Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory in the 1971 season?

Tom Landry

Don Shula

Mike Tomlin

Jimmy Johnson

Tom Landry was the first head coach ever hired by the Dallas Cowboys when the franchise began in 1960. While coaching the Cowboys, Landry guided the team to 20 consecutive winning seasons and two Super Bowl victories.

Wiki Commons by Jeffrey Beall

Matt Stover was the oldest player to ever appear in a Super Bowl. What position did he play?

Wide receiver

Kicker

Quarterback

Fullback

Matt Stover was 42 years old when he appeared in Super Bowl XLIV with the Indianapolis Colts. Despite his age, Stover scored the first points of the game when he hit a 38-yard field goal in the first quarter.

NFL via youtube

Deion Sanders won back to back Super Bowls with two different teams, the 49ers and who?

Raiders

Cowboys

Falcons

Eagles

Few players could change the Super Bowl chances of an NFL team like Deion Sanders. After defeating the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game the year prior, he joined the team and helped them win the Super Bowl the next year.

WikiCommons via Keith Allison

How many points were scored in Super Bowl LIII, the lowest scoring championship ever?

Three

Seven

13

16

Considering the 2018 Los Angeles Rams had one of the most high-powered offenses in NFL history, the fact that they only scored three points in Super Bowl LIII is a testament to just how prepared the New England Patriots were for the game. On offense, the Patriots were able to put up just enough points to win.

NFL

Can you name the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV for the New Orleans Saints?

Drew Brees

Pierre Thomas

Marques Colston

Reggie Bush

Following Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans desperately needed something to take their minds off the disaster. Drew Brees became that relief, immediately turning the team into a title contender before finally delivering a championship in the 2009 season.

Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden was able to defeat his former team in Super Bowl XXXVII. What team did he once coach?

Bills

Cardinals

Raiders

Jaguars

Super Bowl XXXVII pitted the Oakland Raiders, who had the number one offense in the NFL, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had the number one defense in the NFL. The Buccaneers' defense won the day, recording five interceptions while only allowing 19 rushing yards.

Wiki Commons by Paula Lively

Do you know how many yards away the Tennessee Titans were from potentially winning Super Bowl XXXIV against the Los Angeles Rams when time expired?

One yard

Five yards

Eight yards

12 yards

The Tennessee Titans might have lost Super Bowl XXXIV, but it took them a miracle to even reach the game. Literally, they completed a play known as "The Music City Miracle" in the Wild Card round to barely defeat the Buffalo Bills.

Wiki Commons by Ted Van Pelt

Which rushing record did John Riggins break in Super Bowl XVII?

Rushing yards

Longest rushing play

Rushing attempts

Yards per carry

The defense for the Miami Dolphins was not prepared for John Riggins in Super Bowl XVII, as he consistently moved the chains with carry after carry. His best run of the day was a 43-yard touchdown that gave the Washington Redskins the lead in the fourth quarter.

Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Making it the first championship in the venue, where did Super Bowl XLV between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers take place?

Ford Field

Cowboys Stadium

Georgia Dome

Sun Devil Stadium

Cowboys Stadium, since named AT&T Stadium, is located in Arlington, Texas, where the Dallas Cowboys host home games. It also serves as the home of a popular college bowl game known as the Cotton Bowl Classic.

Wiki Commons by Tech. Sgt. Charles Walker

Are you familiar with the only quarterback to have a receiving touchdown in a Super Bowl?

Tom Brady

Colin Kaepernick

Russell Wilson

Nick Foles

The Philadelphia Eagles had to rely on the decision making of Nick Foles when they entered the 2017-18 NFL Playoffs because their starting quarterback tore his ACL at the end of the regular season. Foles did not disappoint, giving Philadelphia a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.

Wiki Commons by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth

Peyton Manning won the first Super Bowl of his career in the 2007 season playing against which team?

Cardinals

Seahawks

Bears

Dolphins

Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher played in the only Super Bowl of his professional career with the Chicago Bears during Super Bowl XLI. Urlacher led a top-ranked defense into the game, but they couldn't overcome the poor play of their offense.

Wiki Commons by Toiete Jackson

The rushing touchdown record in the Super Bowl belongs to Terrell Davis. How many runs did he score?

Two

Three

Four

Five

Terrell Davis became one of only seven players to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season when he hit the mark in 1998. The season followed Davis' MVP performance in Super Bowl XXXII.

NFL

Between players and coaches, who has appeared in the Super Bowl more than anyone else?

Bill Belichick

Jimmy Johnson

Mike Ditka

Tom Flores

Bill Belichick has become a mastermind at reaching the Super Bowl, which he has done 12 times in his career. He reached three of those Super Bowls as an assistant coach and nine as a head coach.

Wiki Commons by Jeffrey Beall

What was the margin of victory in Super Bowl XXIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos?

25 points

33 points

36 points

45 points

After throwing for five touchdowns, Joe Montana won the third and final Super Bowl MVP award of his career. It also marked the final time that Montana reached the Super Bowl, as he would spend his next two seasons in San Francisco injured.

Wiki Commons by unknown author

Who is the only player from the losing team to win the Super Bowl MVP?

John Elway

Bruce Smith

Andre Reed

Chuck Howley

Chuck Howley was a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys when they went up against the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V. When Howley was named Super Bowl MVP, he became both the first non-quarterback and only player from the losing team to win the award.

WikiCommons by Keith Allison

Ray Lewis won two Super Bowls on the opposite ends of his career. How many years were in between?

9

10

12

15

Ray Lewis spent his entire 17-year NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, who drafted him in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. Lewis was actually only the second player ever drafted by the Ravens because their franchise played their first season that year.

WikiCommons by SAB0TEUR

Both Chris Long and LaGarrette Blount won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots only to turn around and win it the next season with which team?

Eagles

Rams

Chiefs

Steelers

After the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI, they returned to the Super Bowl the next season against the Philadelphia Eagles. The matchup pitted LaGarrette Blount and Chris Long against their former team.

Wikimedia Commons by Mike Morris

The Seattle Seahawks had a stellar secondary when they won Super Bowl XLVIII that went by what name?

Fearsome Foursome

Legion of Boom

Monsters of the Midway

Wrecking Crew

Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor were the centerpieces of the Legion of Boom. After the departure of Sherman and Chancellor, the defensive unit officially ended when Earl Thomas decided to sign with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019.

Wiki Commons by Jack Newton

Do you know what position James White was playing when he scored a Super Bowl record 20 points?

Wide receiver

Quarterback

Running back

Tight end

Despite playing the running back position, James White has recorded more receiving yards than rushing yards in his NFL career. The versatile running back is usually used in third-down passing situations or split out at wide receiver.

Wiki Commons by Jeffrey Beall

Can you identify the head coach who led the Indianapolis Colts to a victory in Super Bowl XLI?

Lovie Smith

Tony Dungy

Mike Tomlin

Tom Coughlin

Tony Dungy and Lovi Smith were the first two black head coaches to ever reach the Super Bowl when they faced one another in Super Bowl XLI. When Dungy's team got the victory, he was the first black head coach to win the Super Bowl, making it a milestone in NFL history.

WikiCommons via JJ Hall

The New England Patriots are tied with which team for the most Super Bowl wins?

Steelers

Dolphins

49ers

Giants

Both the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers have six Super Bowl titles under their belt. Strangely, the Patriots have won every one of their titles in the past 20 years, while the Steelers have only won two in that span.

NFL

How did the Seattle Seahawks put up the quickest points in Super Bowl history at Super Bowl XLVIII?

Kickoff return

Interception for a touchdown

Passing touchdown

Safety

On the first play from scrimmage in Super Bowl XLVIII, the snap from the center went over quarterback Peyton Manning's head and into the end zone. Running back Knowshon Moreno was forced to jump on the ball to prevent a defensive touchdown, resulting in a safety.

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